Post by Snowflake on May 20, 2012 7:20:50 GMT -5
EUPHORION WORKS FOR CLIMAX CUP
This sucked. Euphorion seemed to be stuck in a rut. He hadn't won since the beginning of May, it was now dawning in September. His next race was a two horse field. Just him and Flashy Wings. He'd beaten the other colt before, but Euphorion's confidence seemed to be waning. If he didn't win soon, Sarah was afraid he'd be retiring at the end of the year. It was too soon, but perhaps he'd peaked.
Instead of working out on the track, they walked right past it and headed for the trails. If anything could lift the horse's spirit, it would be an awesome gallop through the forest and on the beach. This would hopefully be just what he needed to win on Saturday. After several minutes of trotting, they reached the start of the forest trail. Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing slightly in the riding saddle. It was so nice to be able to sit on a horse, rather than spend 90% of the ride standing in the stirrups.
Euphorion's mood picked up, and his stride became more energetic. When Sarah urged him to canter, he kicked up his heels joyfully, and cantered with extra bounce. The forest trail was only about a kilometre long, so they reached the beach quite quickly. Euphorion didn't wait for a cue to gallop. He burst onto the sand with a whinny of delight, and raced down to the water. Sarah almost forgot it was nearly winter, despite wearing a jacket, and steered the colt away at the last moment.
Sorry Ryan, it's too cold for swimming. She said, almost sadly. Ryan loved swimming at the beach. The pool at home was just too boring .. he liked to crash through the waves. Sarah began to drive the colt on as the galloped down the beach. It was quite long, probably about twelve furlongs from the rocks at one end to the rocks at the other. They'd started about halfway down, where the trail came out, so they weren't doing a full twelve furlongs. A short way from the end of the beach, Sarah slowed the colt down, turned him, then urged him on back up the beach.
They slowed down after a couple hundred more metres, Euphorion's breathing was hard and his neck sweaty. He dropped back to canter, then trot, although he didn't want to finish running just yet. After a few minutes of trotting, they slowed to a relaxed walk. Sarah breathed in the salty air, and sighed happily. If only they could win the Climax Cup.. then she would be truly happy with him, for a short time at least. As they turned back up the beach to the forest trail, Euphorion broke forward again, dashing up the slope of the beach powerfully. Leaning forward, to help him balance, Sarah knew he was ready for the win. He wanted it. Now they just had to get it. They were ready to take on the Climax Cup.